With Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity making it to the Super League Grand Final, the competition has definitively entered a new era. It has been pondered for a while if the playing field was starting to level, if these teams that once could not touch the big boys, now had the funds, the backing, the know-how to reach the top. Not only that, would they leave the original 'Super League giants' in shock that others have not only caught up, but have started to usurp them.
To understand the significance you have to know the context. This is the first Grand Final EVER that does not include one of St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, or Wigan Warriors. It has taken until the 29th staging of this event for one of those teams to not be involved.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player You only have to look at the list of winners to see it has been complete and utter domination by those three, with a sprinkling of Bradford and last year's historic win by Hull KR. St Helens have won it on nine occasions, Leeds eight times, Wigan have seven Grand Final wins, and Bradford three. Hull KR have a '1' next to their name - that is what one of Wakefield Trinity and Warrington Wolves will have come Saturday night.
In 2026, St Helens missed out on the play-offs for the first time in their history, Leeds were beaten by Warrington, Wigan were dominated by Wakefield, Bradford finished bottom, and Hull KR were dumped out by the Wolves in the Eliminators. The guard has started to change. History alone is no longer enough to power you through and now, there are sides intent on creating their own lasting legacy that will do everything in their power to make it happen.
When Warrington and Wakefield walk out to the cacophony of noise at Old Trafford on Saturday, that exact history beckons. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. Wakefield and Warrington have ripped up repetition and instead decided that making waves is the way forward.
Indeed, it is a final in which we cannot look at either team as the one that has 'been there, done it, and got the t-shirt'. Nerves will be on display but in the best way because they highlight once again that sport and fairytales intertwine - they will be a sign of a great story, an exceptional story, and it is up to one of Warrington and Wakefield to be the protagonist. Wakefield have provided an underdog story for the ages - the team were relegated in 2024 and within two years of returning to Super League, they are in the biggest match of them all.
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